Steam hydrator



Nov. 15, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1952 Nov. 15, 1955 E. SUHAJDA STEAM HYDRATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 29. 1952 E. SUHAJDA STEAM HYDRATOR Nov; 15, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 29, 1952 INVENTOR; Wzc.

United States Patent ()fiice 2,723,840 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 STEAM HYDRATOR Emil Suhajda, Chicago,

Ill., assignor to G. H. Bishop Company, Chicago,

111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 29, 1952, Serial No. 301,439

15 Claims. (Cl. 26114) resides in the fact that with the prior hydrators, a full head of steam, that is to say, steam under maximum pressure, was required to effectuate mixing of steam and condensate to produce wetsteam. By reason of this full head of steam requirement, the use of the hydrator for spotting certain types of fabric was impossible or at least seriously impaired.

Thus it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a steam hydrator which enables the operator to readily find the proper positions of adjustment of the main, or primary, control valve to obtain either relatively dry or wet steam, thereby materially expediting the spotting operation and likewise improving the quality of workmanship of such operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a steam hydrator wherein maximum steam pressure is not required in order to obtain a proper mixture of steam and condensate.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a steam hydrator having means for varying, depending on the fabric being cleaned, the ratio of steam to condensate in the mixture obtained therefrom, as mum pressure of said mixture.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide asteam hydrator which is simple and compact in construction and eifective in operation.

well as the maxi- Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a chamber is provided having a steam accumulating portion and a steam condensate collecting portion in communication therewith. Mounted on the chamber is an adjustable primary control valve, which, when in one position of adjustment, communicates with only the steam accumulating chamber portion wherein only relatively dry steam passes through said valve, and, when in a second position of adjustment, communicates with only the steam condensate collecting chamber portion wherein only a mixture of steam and condensate passes through said valve. Mounted on said chamber and in communication with the steam condensate collecting portion thereof is an adjustable means for varying the ratio of steam to condensate in the mixture passing through the adjustable control valve. 4

4 .For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

12 is where the dry air accumulates.

shown, wherein the condensate r Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 1 but showing a portion of the hydrator in vertical section;

Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are fragmentary sectional views taken along line 5-5, 66, 77, 88, and 99, respectively of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 4, a steam hydrator 10 is shown for use in combination with a conventional type spotting gun, not shown. When effectively cleaning spotted garments and the like, it is frequently necessary to vary the wetness of the steam which is applied to the soiled area, accord ing to the type fabric being cleaned and the nature of the spot being removed therefrom. Steam hydrator 10 appears to effectively meet these requirements and comprises a hollow chamber having two sections 10a and 10b, which, in this instance, are arranged in superimposed relation. Provided within chamber 10a, which is disposed above section 10b and secured thereto by bolts 11' or any other suitable means, are a pair of elongated cavities 11 and 12 arranged in side by side relation. Cavity 11 is where dry steam accumulates while cavity The two cavities 11 and 12 are separated from one another by a partition 13 which is formed of material having a high heat conductivity. Thus the steam which accumulates within cavity 11 serves as a preheater for the dry air accumulated within cavity 12.

Chamber section 10b is provided with an enlarged cavity 14 in which the steam condensate or moisture collects. Cavities 11 and 14 are interconnected with i one another by a passage 15. A plug 19 is provided, which is threadably mounted within a passage formed between cavities 12 and 14, thereby effecting a sealing off of the two cavities. It is to be understood, of course, that while two interconnected cavities 11 and 14 are shown, it is within the contemplation of the invention to combine these two cavities into one large cavity, not

will collect at the bottom of the large cavity and the relatively dry steam at the top thereof.

Mounted on the upper side of chamber section 10a and having a portion in communication with cavities 11 and 12 are a pair of primary control valves 16 and 17, respectively, which are of like construction. Both of these valves, in this instance, are foot-operated and will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

Steam accumulating cavity 11 is provided with an inlet port 18 which is operatively connected .by a suitable conduit 20 to a source of steam, not shown. The port 18, as noted in Fig. 4, is positioned at the upper end of the cavity, thereby resulting in the steam, passing directly from the cavity 11 to the valve 16, being relatively more dry than if the port was positioned adjacent the bottom of the cavity. Cavity 12 is likewise provided with a port 21 which is operatively connected by a suitable conduit 22 to an air compressor, not shown. The port 21 in this instance is adjacent the bottom of the cavity thereby efrecting greater preheating of the air prior to the latter passing out through valve 17 at the top of the cavity. Condensate collecting cavity 14 is provided with a substantially centrally positioned opening 23 in which is connected an overflow pipe 23'. The location of port 23 controls the maximum height to which the level 24 of the condensate may rise within cavity 14.

Formed within chamber section 10b and spaced to one side of cavity 14 are a pair of upwardly extending passageways 25 and 26. Passageway 25 is for steam and Q) has one end thereof terminating within cavity 14 at a point disposed above port 23 or the level 24 of the condensate. The other end of passageway 25 connects with a conduit 28, which in turn communicates directly with primary control valve 16. Disposed within passageway 25 is a conventional manually adjusted needle valve 30 for controlling the size of the opening 27 through which the steam passes from cavity 14.

Passageway 26 is for the condensate and has the lower end thereof terminating within cavity 14 at a point 31 disposed beneath port 23 or the level 24 of the condensate collected within the cavity. The upper end of passageway 26 terminates within passageway 25 at a point substantially midway between the ends of passageway 25. 'Adjustably mounted within the upper end of passageway 26 .is a second conventional manually controlled needle valve 33 for controlling the size of the passageway through which the condensate flows. Thus needle valve 30 controls the maximum amount of steam which may pass through opening 27, when valve 16 is in proper position of adjustment, and needle valve 33, on the other hand, controls the maximum amount of condensate or moisture which may flow through passageway 26 and mix with the steam in passageway 25.

Primary control valve 16, heretofore mentioned, comprises a hollow housing 34 having the lower end thereof threadably mounted within a suitable opening 35 formed in the upper end of chamber section a and communicating with steam accumulating cavity 11. The lower end of the housing 34 is provided with a bore 46 which communicates with an enlarged compartment 36 formed centrally within the housing. Mounted for reciprocatory movement within compartment 36 is a valve head 37 which is urged by a coil spring 38 into an abutting or closed relation with respect to a valve seat 40. The valve head 37, when in this position, seals off a passageway 47 leading to the outlet port 48 formed in the housing wall. The valve head 37 is polygonal in cross section, while the interior of compartment 36 is circular, as seen in Fig. 6; thus providing a plurality of passages between the interior of the compartment and the periphery of head .37, through which the steam may pass when the valve head is moved away from the valve seat 40. To effectuate .unseating or downward movement of the head 37 with respect to seat 40, an elongated plunger rod 41 is provided having one end thereof exposed and protruding from the upper end of valve housing 34 and engaging an actuating lever 42. The rod 41 is adapted to be moved longitudinally downwardly by lever 42 which is pivotally mounted at one end 43 on a bracket 44 which,

.in turn, is rigidly secured to valve housing 34. The free 7 end of the lever 42 is adapted to be engaged by a rod or chain 45 which is connected at its lower end to a foot pedal, not shown. I

'Upon partial movement of the lever 42 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot point 43, the plunger rod "41 causes the head 37 to move away from valve seat 40 thereby enabling the steam accumulated in cavity 11 to flow through bore 46, compartment 36, passageway 47, and port 48 into conduit 50, the latter leading directly to the spotting gun, not shown. The amount of steam which flows out of cavity 11 depends on the extent to which the head 37 has been unseated from valve seat '40. Upon the foot pedal being fully depressed, the lever 42 rotates its full amount in a counterclockwise direction about pivot point 43 whereupon the bottom or lower end of valve head 37 is caused to abut a second valve seat 51, which is formed at the bottom of compartment 36, and closes off the bore 46 from compartment 36. When this condition occurs, the steam is rerouted from cavity 11 through opening into cavity 14, whereupon, depending upon the settings of needle valves '30 and 33, a part of the steam passes through passageway 27 and the remainder exerts a pressure on the condensate causing a portion of the latter to flow through passageway 26 and :mix with the steam in passageway 25. The mixture of steam and condensate is then caused to flow through conduit 28, a check valve 52 positioned in said conduit, and a port 53 formed in the wall of housing 54 and leading into a compartment 36. From compartment 36, the mixture of steam and condensate follows a path, heretofore described, to the spotting gun. The check valve 52 is spring biased to a closed position so that, when only dry steam is being discharged to the spotting gun, no siphoning action of the condensate contained in cavity 14 will result to impair the dryness of the steam. In order to overcome this biasing effect within check valve 52, the full amount of steam pressure on the surface of the condensate is required. Thus the check valve 52 insures that only dry steam may be discharged from the gun when desired. With the improved hydrator, the operator can readily determine when the relatively dry steam is shut off and the wet steam is being fed to the spotting gun, because there is a momentary shutting off of the discharge from the gun while the steam is being rerouted through the hydrator. Thus the guesswork of the operator, which heretofore was associated in changing from dry to wet steam, has been eliminated and can now be accurately ascertained.

The .primary control valve 17, which is mounted on chamber 10 at the upper end of cavity 12, is of the same construction as control valve 16; however, port 53 is sealed off by a .plug 54 which is threaded therein. The outlet port 48 is connected by a pipe 55 to the conduit :50 leading to the spotting gun. The plunger or rod 41 of valve 17 is likewise actuated downwardly by lever 42. This lever is operatively connected to a second foot pedal, not shown. A stop, not shown, cooperates with the second foot pedal to prevent the latter from being depressed beyond a certain amount, thus valve head '37 cannot be moved downwardly within housing 34 so to seat on lower valve seat 51.

Thus it will be seen that a compact steam hydrator'has been provided which enables the operator to readily obtain either relatively dry or wet steam whenever he or she so desires. Furthermore, the ratio of steam to condensate in the wet steam mixture as well as the maximum pressure thereof may be readily controlled by the operator.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown above, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made,-and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow chamber having a steam accumulating portion and a moisture collecting portion, an adjustable control valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said steam accumulating portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said valve, when the latter is in one position of "adjustment, there being means to place said valve also .in communication with both saidsteam accumulating and moisture collecting portions wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said valve, when the latter is in a second position of adjustment, and means mountedon said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions "at points above and below the .level of the liquid containedtherein and manually adjustable independently of said control valve for varying the ratio of moisture to steam in the mixture passing througn said valve.

2. A device of the class described, comprising an upright hollow chamber having a steam accumulating por tion and a moisture collecting portion positioned therebeneath, an adjustable control valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said steam accumulating portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said valve, when the latter is in onepositionof-adjustment, there being mean's to place said valvealso in "communication with'both said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said'valve, when the latter is in a second position of adjustment, and means mounted on said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions and having an exposed manually adjustable section for varying the-ratio of moisture to steam in said mixture passing through said valve. 3. A device of theclass described, comprising a hollow chamber having a steam accumulating portion and a moisture collecting portion, a depressible control valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said steam accumulating portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said valve,.when the latter is depressed a predetermined amount, there being means to placesaid valve also in communication with both said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portion wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said valve, when the latter is depressed a second predetermined amount, and means mounted on said chamber and in communication with said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions and said valve and having an exposed manually adjustable section for varying the ratio of moisture to steam in said mixture.

, 4., A device of the class described, comprisinga hollow chamber having a steam accumulating portion and a moisture collecting p'ortion, a depressible control valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said steam accumulating portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said valve, when the latter is partially depressed, there being means to place said valve also in communication with both said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions, wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said valve, when the latter is fully depressed, and means mounted on said chamber and in communication with said valve and said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions at points above and below the level of the liquid' contained in the latter and manually adjustable independently of said valve for varying the ratio of moisture to steam in said mixture and the maximum pressure of said mixture passing through said valve.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow chamber having a steam'accumulating portion, an air accumulating portion separated from said steam accumulating portion by a heat conductive partition, and a moisture collecting portion, an adjustable first valve mounted on said chamber and in communication with 'said air accumulating portion, a second adjustable valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said steam accumulating portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said second valve, when the latter is in one position of adjustment, therebeing means to place said second valve also in communication with both said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said second valve, when the latter is in a second position of adjustment, a conduit communicating with outlet ports formed in said first and second valves, and means mounted on said chamber in communication with said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions and said second valve and manually adjustable independently of said first and second valves for varying the ratio of steam to moisture in the mixture passing through said second valve.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow chamber having a first steam accumulating portion, a second moisture collecting portion in communication with said first portion, and a third air accumulating portion separated from said first and second portions by a heat conductive partitioma depressible first valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said third chamber portion wherein air passes through said valve, when the latter is depressed, a depressible second valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said first chamber portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said second valve 6 when the latter is partially depressed, there being means to place said second valve also in communication with said first and second chamber portions wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said second valve when the latter is fully depressed, and means mounted on said chamber and in communication with said steam accumulating and moisture collecting portions and said second valve and having an exposed section manually adjustable independently of said first and second valves for varying the ratio of steam to moisture in the mixture passing through said second valve.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow chamber having a steam accumulating first portion and a moisture collecting second portion, the latter including means for controlling the maximum level of moisture therein, said portions being in communication with one another, an adjustable primary control valve mounted'on said chamber and being in communication with only said first chamber portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said valve, when the latter is in one position of adjustment, and being in communication with only said second chamber portion wherein a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said valve when the latter is in a second position of adjustment, and a pair of adjustable secondary control valves mounted on said chamber for varying the ratio of steam to moisture in the mix ture passing through said primary control valve; one of said pair of secondary control valves being disposed within a first passageway communicating at one end thereof with said moisture collecting chamber portion below the moisture level controlling means and at the other end thereof with said primary valve, and the other of said pair of secondary control valves being disposed within a second passageway communicating at one end thereof with said moisture collecting chamber portion above the moisture level controlling means and at the other end thereof with said other end of said first passageway.

8. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow chamber having a steam accumulating portion and a moisture collecting portion in communication with said steam accumulating chamber portion, an adjustable primary control valve mounted on said chamber and being in communication with only said steam accumulating portion wherein only relatively dry steam will pass through said valve, when the latter is in one position of adjustment, and being in communication with only said moisture collecting portion wherein only a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said valve when the latter is in a second position of adjustment, an overflow conduit mounted on'and communicating with said moisture collecting chamber portion for controlling the maximum amount of moisture to be collected therein, pairs of adjustable secondary valves mounted on said moisture collecting chamber portion for varying the ratio of steam to moisture in said mixture, one of said pair of valves being disposed within a first passageway formed in said chamber having one end thereof communicating with the interior of said moisture collecting chamber portion at a point disposed above said overflow conduit and having the other end thereof communicating with said primary control valve, the other of said pair of secondary valves being disposed within a second passageway formed in said chamber having one end thereof communicating with said moisture collecting chamber portion at a point he'- neath said overflow conduit and having the other end thereof terminating within the end of said first passageway communicating with said primary valve.

9. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow chamber having a steam accumulating first portion, a moisture collecting second portion in communication with said first portion, and an air accumulating third portion completely separated from said first and second portions by a heat conductive partition, a first adjustable primary control valve mounted on said chamber and in communication with only said third chamber portion wherein air will pass through {said valve, when the latter is in azposition of adjustment, va second adjustable primary control valve-mounted on said chamber adjacent saidfirst primary control valveand being in communication with only said steam accumulating chamber portion wherein only relatively dr-y :steam 'will pass through said second primary control valve, when the latter is inone position of adjustment, and being incommunication with only said moisture collecting portion wherein only a mixture of steam and moisture will pass through said second primary control valve, when the latter is in a second position of adjustment, and .a pair-of angularly offset adjustable secondary valves mounted on said moisture collecting chamber portion; one of said secondary valves being-disposed in a passageway formed in .said second chamber portion and having one end of said passageway communicating with the upper-portion of the interior ofsaid moisture collecting chamber portion and the other end communicating with said secondprimary control valve, the other of said secondary control valves being disposed in a second passageway formed in said second chamber portion and having one end of said second passageway communicating with the lower .portion of the interior of said moisture collecting chamber portion and the other end terminating within said first passageway at a point intermediate said one secondary valve and said second primary control valve.

10. In apparatus for treating and cleaning fabric materials with wet and dry steam and heated air wherein a spotting gun is supplied with dry steam from a steam chamber and heated air from a hot air chamber, each chamber having an inlet connection to its source of supply and an outlet connection to said spotting gun, anormally closed valve in each outlet connection, a mixing chamber in communication with said steam chamber, a by-pass connection between said mixing chamber and said outlet connection of said steam chamber, said normally closed valve 'in said steam chamber outlet connection having two extreme positions of control, means to operate said last valve to a position intermediate said two extreme positions of control to supply dry steam to said spotting gun connection, said means further operating said last valve to its extreme position opposite to closed position to supply a mixture of water and steam to said spotting gun connection, and means mounted within said by-pass connection and manually adjustable independently of said normally closed valves for varying the percentage of water and dry steam suppiied to said spotting gun.

1 1. In apparatus for treating and cleaning fabric materials with wet and dry steam wherein a spotting gun is supplied with wet-or dry .steamtfrom a moisture collecting chamber anda communicating drysteam chamher, the dry steam chamber being provided with an inlet connection to a source of dry steam and an outlet connection to said spotting gun, of a valve housing and a valve therein .-in saidoutlet connection, an operating member .to actuate said valve from a closed position closing off the flow to said spotting gun to a second closed position closing off the flow from said dry steam chamber 'to said valve housing, a bypass connection be tween said moisture collecting chamber and said valve housing to supply a wet steam to said spotting gun when said valve is 'inits said second closed position, and con 'trol means mounted within said by-pass connection" and adjustable independently of said valve for varying the percentage of moisture in the wet steam.

"12. "In apparatus for treating and cleaning fabric terials with wet and dry steam wherein a spotting gun is supplied with wet or drysteam from a moisture collecting chamberand a communicating dry steam chamher, the dry steam chamber being provided with an in- .let connection 'to a source of dry steam and an outlet connection 'to '"said spotting gun, of a valve housing and a valve therein in said outlet connection, an operating member to actuate 'said valve from a normally closed position with respect to the outlet connection to said spotting gun, .said valve housing having means ,to .seat said valve when in said normally closed position and also to seat said valve at the end of its operating stroke to close off the flow to said valve housing from said dry steam chamber, and a by-pass connection leading from said moisture collecting chamber at points above and below the level of liquid collected therein to said valve housing at a point intermediate said valve positions to supply wet steam to said spotting gun when said valve is at the end of its operating stroke and closing ofi the flow from said dry steam chamber to said valve housing.

13. In apparatus for treating and cleaning fabric materials with wet and dry steam wherein at spotting gun is supplied with wet or dry steam from a moisture .collecting'chamber and a communicating dry steam chambet, the dry steam chamber being provided with an inlet connection to a source of dry steam and an outlet connection to said spotting gun, of a valve housing and a valve therein in said outlet connection, an operating member to actuate said valve, said valve housing 'hav ing means to seat said valve when normally closed to close ofi the flow to said spotting gun and also to seat said valve at the end of its operating stroke to close off the flow to said valve housing from said dry steam chamber, and a by-pass connection leading from said moisture collecting chamber to said valve housing intermediate said valve positions to supply wet steam to said spotting gun when said valve is at the end of its operating stroke to close off the flow to said valve housing, said by-pass connection connecting to said moisture collecting chamber above and below the liquid level in said chamber.

14. In apparatus 'for treating and cleaning fabric materials with wet and dry steam wherein a spotting gun is supplied with wet or dry steam from a moisture collecting chamber and a communicating dry steam chamber, the dry steam chamber being provided with an inlet connection to a source of dry steam and an outlet connection to said spotting gun, of a valve housing and a valve therein in said outlet connection, an operating member to actuate said valve, said valve housing having means to seat said valve when normally closed to close off the flow to said spotting gun and also to seat said valve at the end of its operating stroke to close off the flow to said valve housing from said dry steam chamber, and a by-pass connection leading from said moisture collecting chamber to sa'id'valve housing intermediate said valve positions to supply wet steam'to said spotting gun when said valve is'at the end of its operating stroke to close off the flow to said valvehousing, said by-pass connection connecting to said moisture collecting chamber above and'below the liquid level in said chamber and separate control means for each said point of connection with said moisture collecting chamber whereby the percentage of liquid and dry (steam may .be

predetermined.

15. In apparatus for treating and cleaning fabric materials with wet and dry steam wherein a spotting gun is supplied with wet or dry steam from a moisture collecting chamber and a communicating dry steam chamber, the dry steam chamber being provided with an inlet connection to a source of dry steam and an outlet connection to said spotting gun, of a valve housingand avalve'therein in said outlet connection, an operating member to "actuate said valve, said valve housing having means to seat said valve when normally closed to close ofi the flow to said spotting gun and also to seat said valve at the end of its operating stroke to close off the fiow to said valve housing from s'aiddry steam chamber, and a by-pas's connection leading from said moisture collecting chamber to said valve housing intermediate said valve positions to isupply'wet steam to said spotting gun when said valve is at the end of its operating stroke to close off thefiow'to said valve housing, said by-pass connection connecting to said moisture collecting chamber above and below .the

liquid level in said chamber and separate control means for each said point of connection with said moisture collecting chamber whereby the percentage of liquid and dry steam may be predetermined, and control means for predetermining the percentage of liquid and dry steam supplied through said by-pass connection to said spotting gun.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Conley et a1 Aug. 22, 1933 Weber et a1 Dec. 25, 1945 Glover Dec. 7, 1948 Glover Dec. 7, 1948 Longmuir May 27, 1952 Glover et a1. Sept. 18, 1953 

